Compassion Fatigue and Applied Anthropology: Lessons from a Suicide Hotline

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 41-44
Author(s):  
Chelce Carter
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Real World ◽  
Applied Anthropology ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelter ◽  
Anthropological Research ◽  
Suicide Hotline

Compassion fatigue is a problem many frontline workers face. It presents in the form of sleep troubles, intimacy issues, and general anxiety and depression as a result of working with individuals who have experienced trauma firsthand. As applied anthropology becomes more involved on the frontlines, researchers risk experiencing symptoms similar to those that others who work in these fields have faced. I explain how I encountered compassion fatigue through the literature as well as through real-world experience in an internship with a suicide hotline and domestic violence shelter. I then provide solutions for preventing compassion fatigue in applied anthropological research, suggesting that we might be able to impact other frontline workers as well.

The Experiences of Domestic Violence Shelter Workers and Their Perceptions of Shelter Services: A Preliminary Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 539-561
Author(s):  
Chris Brown ◽  
Christine Serpe ◽  
Sara Brammer
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Compassion Fatigue ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Secondary Trauma ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelter ◽  
Shelter Workers ◽  
Provision Of Services ◽  
Shelter Services

With domestic violence shelters faced with the persistent and arduous challenge of intimate partner violence, using an online survey, we explored the experiences of 98 shelter workers, including their perceptions of shelter services. Findings revealed that a majority of respondents (94%) indicated that through their work, they have had a positive influence on shelter residents. Moreover, 68% agreed that shelters are successful with providing services that will aid women in becoming self-sufficient, and 94% would like to see shelters have a greater impact on helping women find the pathway to economic independence. Thirty-six and 39% of participants, respectively, endorsed items about compassion fatigue and secondary trauma, and slightly more than half (51%) were frustrated by their work. Challenges in the provision of services included lack of funding, housing, and mental health and communal living issues. Incorporation of wellness efforts and self-care practices are encouraged in order for shelter workers to reduce susceptibility to compassion fatigue and secondary trauma.

scholarly journals Domestic violence and coping strategies among married adults during lockdown due to Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in India: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-29
Author(s):  
Priyanka Sharma ◽  
Anita Khokhar
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Background: There has been a reported increase in cases of domestic violence during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, however systematic research data is still unavailable. This study was conducted to find out domestic violence prevalence and coping strategies among married adults during lockdown due to COVID-19 in India. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among married men and women in the month of April 2020. Data regarding socio-demographic profile, domestic violence and coping strategies employed during lockdown was collected thorough google forms. 97.9% forms were completely filled by the respondents. Descriptive analysis was done. Results: Out of 94 study participants, about 7.4% (n=7) had faced domestic violence during lockdown. Out of these 7 participants, about 85.7% (n=6) reported increased frequency of domestic violence during lockdown. About half of the victims chose to ignore it (57.1%, n=4) or used yoga/meditation (42.9%, n=3) to cope. Conclusion: With about 7.4% study participants facing domestic violence during lockdown, it is necessary to study its detailed epidemiology in pandemics so that interventions like helpline numbers, screening of patients during tele-consultation, etc. which can be delivered even during lockdown with the help of healthcare and frontline workers could be devised to address this problem.

Culturally Sensitive Assessment of Anxious-Depressive Distress in Vietnam: Avoiding Category Truncation

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (3) ◽  
pp. 384-404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devon E. Hinton ◽  
Amie Alley Pollack ◽  
Bahr Weiss ◽  
Lam T. Trung
Keyword(s):  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
General Survey ◽  
General Anxiety Disorder ◽  
General Anxiety ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Standing Up ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Highly Correlated

The present study investigated what complaints are prominent in psychologically distressed Vietnamese in Vietnam beyond standard symptoms assessed by Western diagnostic instruments for anxiety and depression. To form the initial Vietnamese Symptom and Cultural Syndrome Addendum (VN SSA), we reviewed the literature, consulted experts, and conducted focus groups. The preliminary VN SSA was then used in a general survey (N = 1004) of five provinces in Vietnam. We found that the VN SSA items were highly and significantly correlated with a measure of anxious-depressive psychopathology (a composite measure of the General Anxiety Disorder-7; Posttraumatic Diagnostic Scale; and Patient Health Questionnaire-9). The VN SSA item most highly correlated to anxious-depressive psychopathology was “thinking a lot” ( r = .54), reported by 15.8% of the sample. Many other symptoms in the addendum also were prominent, such as orthostatic dizziness (i.e., dizziness upon standing up; r = .41), reported by 22.9% of the sample. By way of comparison, somatic complaints more typically assessed to profile Western anxious-depressive distress, such as palpitations, were less prominent, as evidenced by being less strongly correlated to Western psychiatric symptoms and being less frequent (e.g., palpitations: r = .31, 7.1% of the sample). Study results suggest that to avoid category truncation when profiling anxious-depressive distress among Vietnamese that items other than those in standard psychopathology measures should also be assessed.

scholarly journals Prevention and Attenuation of COVID-19 by BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273 Vaccines

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark G Thompson ◽  
Jefferey L Burgess ◽  
Allison Naleway ◽  
Harmony Tyner ◽  
Sarang K Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Real World ◽  
Messenger Rna ◽  
Viral Rna ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Healthcare Personnel ◽  
Post Dose ◽  
Frontline Workers ◽  
Nasal Swabs ◽  
Working Age ◽  
Prospective Cohorts

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Information is limited on messenger RNA (mRNA) BNT162b2 (Pfizer–BioNTech) and mRNA–1273 (Moderna) COVID–19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in preventing SARS–CoV–2 infection or attenuating disease when administered in real–world conditions. METHODS: Prospective cohorts of 3,975 healthcare personnel, first responders, and other essential and frontline workers completed weekly SARS–CoV–2 testing during December 14 2020—April 10 2021. Self–collected mid–turbinate nasal swabs were tested by qualitative and quantitative reverse–transcription—polymerase–chain–reaction (RT–PCR). VE was calculated as 100%× (1−hazard ratio); adjusted VE was calculated using vaccination propensity weights and adjustments for site, occupation, and local virus circulation . RESULTS: SARS–CoV–2 was detected in 204 (5.1%) participants; 16 were partially (≥14 days post–dose–1 to 13 days after dose–2) or fully (≥14 days post–dose–2) vaccinated, and 156 were unvaccinated; 32 with indeterminate status (<14 days after dose–1) were excluded. Adjusted mRNA VE of full vaccination was 91% (95% confidence interval [CI]=76%—97%) against symptomatic or asymptomatic SARS–CoV–2 infection; VE of partial vaccination was 81% (95% CI=64%–90%). Among partially or fully vaccinated participants with SARS–CoV–2 infection, mean viral RNA load (Log10 copies/mL) was 40% lower (95% CI=16%–57%), the risk of self–reported febrile COVID–19 was 58% lower (Risk Ratio=0.42, 95% CI=0.18–0.98), and 2.3 fewer days (95% CI=0.8–3.7) were spent sick in bed compared to unvaccinated infected participants. CONCLUSIONS: Authorized mRNA vaccines were highly effective among working–age adults in preventing SARS–CoV–2 infections when administered in real–world conditions and attenuated viral RNA load, febrile symptoms, and illness duration among those with breakthrough infection despite vaccination.

Short-Term Response to Counseling and Case Management Intervention in a Domestic Violence Shelter

1997 ◽  
Vol 81 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1243-1251 ◽  
Author(s):  
John R. McNamara ◽  
Melissa A. Ertl ◽  
Sue Marsh ◽  
Suzanne Walker
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Drop Out ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelter ◽  
Management Intervention ◽  
Case Management Intervention ◽  
Skill Deficits ◽  
Shelter Services

81 women who accessed counseling and case management services at a domestic violence shelter after three sessions reported that abuse decreased, life satisfaction increased, perceived coping ability improved, as did their satisfaction with the services. Shelter users, however, also displayed significant skill deficits in the inability to apprise or respond appropriately to abusive situations. Limitations on understanding how shelter services affect longer-term outcomes were ascribed to high drop out rates and the absence of follow-up measures. Researchers need to address the causes of drop-out and what specific interventions can meet the needs of short-term shelter users.

The Influence of Spirituality on Service Utilization and Satisfaction for Women Residing in a Domestic Violence Shelter

2011 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 1244-1259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dawnovise N. Fowler ◽  
Monica Faulkner ◽  
Joy Learman ◽  
Ratonia Runnels
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Service Utilization ◽  
Domestic Violence Shelter
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